History of
National Weather Service River Forecasting

The Beginnings of NWS River and Flood Program

The National Weather Service's River and Flood Program traces its origins
back to the start of the National Weather Service itself. In 1870, Congress
authorized the Army Signal Service Corps to create a river and stream gauge
program, as well as a weather observation and forecasting program. Then,
Congress passed the Organic Act of 1890, that transferred all weather and
related river services into the Department of Agriculture, and created a
civilian U.S. Weather Bureau, which would later become the National Weather
Service (NWS).

Creation of River Forecast Centers

As the country grew, the need for expanded hydrologic services grew with
it. In 1903, an extensive and disastrous flood struck the Kansas River,
further raising public cries for improved flood forecasting. In response,
Congress passed legislation making river and flood services a separate division
within the Weather Bureau. The Ohio River Forecast Center was the first
of these divisions that started in September 1946, followed shortly by another
office in Kansas City Mo. Expanded hydrologic services moved into Texas
and then throughout the entire country within the next few years.

With the nation's continued growth, the economy became increasingly
dependent on river and flood forecasting, but the emphasis still remained
on protection of life and property. In 1940, the Weather Bureau was transferred
into its present home, the Department of Commerce, and a river division,
now known as the the NWS Office of Hydrology, was formed. This river division
divided the country into river districts, each with an associated Weather
Bureau office to cater to the hydrologic needs of that area. By the the
end of World War II, the increasing responsibilities of the regular Weather
Bureau offices prompted the need for separate River District Offices.
Finally, through the 1960's these offices combined into the 13 River Forecast
Centers that exist today.